2024 Matric Results: top 10 best performing private schools and students in South Africa

Private schools in South Africa once again demonstrated their excellence, with the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) reporting a 98.47% pass rate for the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams — the highest in five years.

While these schools often face scrutiny for their perceived privilege — especially when compared to the public school sector, which achieved an impressive record 87.3% NSC record 87.3% NSC pass rate for 2024 despite battling daily challenges rooted in inequality and poverty — the unwavering dedication and hard work of their learners cannot be dismissed.

The list, below, of the top 10 best-performing IEB private schools for 2024, stands out as an inspiring example of their dedication and commitment to nurturing excellence and achieving outstanding results.

Moreover, it ultimately highlights the resilience of the learners, while also acknowledging the unwavering support of educators, parents, and the schools themselves.

2024 IEB matric results key points:

1. IEB Pass Rate: The IEB achieved a 98.47% pass rate, slightly improving on 2023’s 98.46%.
2. Resilience Post-Covid: The 2024 cohort overcame long-term disruptions from the 2020 lockdown, adapting to new learning methods and psychological challenges.
3. Girls’ Schools Excelled: All top 10 independent girls’ schools outperformed boys’ schools in distinctions per candidate, except for St John’s College.
4. Co-Ed Success: Co-educational schools also performed exceptionally, with SAHETI and Redhill School leading in distinctions per candidate.
5. Smaller Class Sizes: The success of private schools is linked to smaller classes, individual attention, and access to qualified teachers.
6. Improved National Pass Rate: The national pass rate increased to 87.3%, up by 4.4 percentage points, surpassing the Class of 2023 82.9%.
7. Targeted Focus: The top-performing schools achieved over 3.5 distinctions per candidate on average.
8. Commitment from Stakeholders: Educators, parents, and guardians were recognised for their contributions to the matric class’s success.
9. Top Co-Educational Schools: Known for their strong legacy of academic excellence, SAHETI topped all schools with an average of 4.5 distinctions per candidate — with every child in the matric class achieving at least one distinction.
10. Achievements Reflect Prestige: The results support the perception that private schools provide superior education, underpinned by their high costs.

Top 10 overall best-performing private schools – and grade 2024 grade 12 learners – in SA

1. SAHETI (co-ed): The SAHETI Matric Class of 2024 has achieved 100% pass rate, 286 distinctions (4.5 per candidate). Every child in the matric class has at least one distinction. Jason Barbis, the school’s top achiever obtained 98% average with nine distinctions. He received both 100% in Mathematics and Life Orientation.
2. Roedean School for Girls a(all-girls): 100% bachelor’s pass rate, 292 distinctions (4.42 distinctions per candidate). Neo Leseilane and Kajal Jogi are the school’s top performer with 9 distinctions each.
3. Crawford College Sandton (co-ed): 100% pass rate, 504 distinctions (4.27 average each). The school’s top achiever is Shailin Moodley with 10 distinctions.
4. Somerset College (co-ed): 100% bachelor pass rate, 93 distinctions (4.2 distinctions per candidate). Achieved within the top 5% in 5 subjects and achieved a rating level of 7 in Life Orientation. The school’s top performer is Sarah Tucker with 8 A symbols with an average of 95.1%. She achieved 100% for core mathematics, FSM standard and FSM elective! 
5. St Mary’s Waverly (All-Girls): 100% pass rate, 99% of candidates qualified for a Bachelor study, 395 distinctions (4.25 distinctions each). Top performing students are Sophia Babaya with eight distinctions and Emily Alston with seven.
6. King David Linksfield (co-ed): 100% bachelor pass rate, 552 distinctions (3.75 per student). 21% of students achieved a ‘full house’ of 7 distinctions or more. 26 placed in the top 1% in the country in several subjects. Zachary Behr and Savanna Brook are the school’s top performers with eight distinctions each. 
7. Herschel Girls’ School (all-girls): 100% bachelor pass, 394 distinctions (3.65 per candidate). 20 learners in top1 %. Zoë Arenhold and Cate Lea are the top performers with the top 5% in six or more subjects and level 7 level in life orientation.
8. St Stithians Girls College (all-girls): 100% bachelor pass, 742 distinctions (3.62 per student) — best results in the history of the College. Abigail Adeleke, Kate Harris and Anri van der Walt are the top performers with 8 eight distinctions each.
9. Helpmekaar Kollege (co-ed): 100% pass rate and 826 distinctions (3.53 distinctions per candidat). Adriaan Mostert is the top achiever with 11 distinctions, with three students: Henri Britz, Elanze Kuhn and Nelius van Graan receiving 10 each.
10. Redhill School (co-ed): 100% university entrance, 309 distinctions ( 3.5 distinctions per student). The top achievers are Christopher Ferreira, with a 93.43% average and seven distinctions, and Taqiyya Osman, with seven distinctions.

These results highlight that private schools, particularly independent girls’ schools and co-educational institutions, continue to dominate in academic excellence, providing an environment that fosters both resilience and high achievement.

..